U.S. Senate
US Senate approves stop-gap funding bill
Mar 21, 2013 01:58 EDT
A bill to avert a US government shutdown has won passage from a divided US Senate after lawmakers cut deals on amendments, setting the stage for the president to sign it this week.
US Senate approves stop-gap funding bill
Mar 20, 2013 22:39 EDT
A divided US Senate came together Wednesday to approve legislation that avoids a government shutdown, with the compromise stopgap likely headed to the president's desk this week.
Assault weapons ban shrivels in US Senate
Mar 20, 2013 05:45 EDT
A proposed ban on assault weapons like the one used in an elementary school massacre last year has been removed from a broader gun control package, with Democrats conceding it would not get through Congress.
Assault weapons ban shrivels in US Senate
Mar 19, 2013 19:47 EDT
US lawmakers dropped an effort to include a ban on assault weapons in a broader gun control package Tuesday, conceding the difficulties of passing such legislation through Congress.
Obama to nominate Tom Perez as labor secretary
Mar 17, 2013 23:46 EDT
US President Barack Obama will announce Monday the nomination of Assistant Attorney General Tom Perez, a Hispanic American, as the next US secretary of labor, a White House official said.
European stocks fall amid Cyprus talks
Mar 15, 2013 13:35 EDT
Europe's main stock markets fell on Friday in downbeat pre-weekend trading before the outcome of a major eurozone ministers meeting aiming to agree a bailout for the Cyprus government, dealers said.
Key US Democrat under grand jury probe: report
Mar 15, 2013 13:13 EDT
Robert Menendez, the influential head of the US Senate's Foreign Relations Committee, is under investigation by a grand jury in Miami for alleged influence peddling, the Washington Post reported Friday.
European stocks fall before Cyprus talks
Mar 15, 2013 11:32 EDT
Europe's main stock markets fell on Friday in downbeat pre-weekend deals before the outcome of a major eurozone ministers meeting that seeks to agree a bailout for the Cyprus government, dealers said.
US Senate panel backs assault weapons ban
Mar 14, 2013 18:07 EDT
US lawmakers approved a Democratic bill Thursday that would ban assault weapons and high-capacity gun magazines, in a party line vote three months to the day after the Newtown school massacre.
Marantis named acting US trade representative
Mar 14, 2013 15:59 EDT
The departing top US trade official Ron Kirk announced Thursday that his deputy Demetrios Marantis will serve as acting US trade representative.
US Senate panel backs tougher gun background checks
Mar 12, 2013 17:16 EDT
A US Senate panel voted along party lines Tuesday to approve a Democratic bill requiring universal background checks for firearm sales, but passage through the full Congress will be more problematic.
Lawmakers to unveil rival budgets amid Obama charm bid
Mar 12, 2013 09:01 EDT
President Barack Obama's Democrats will unveil their first budget in four years this week in the US Senate as House Republicans put forward their own blueprint, but the two are unlikely to be reconciled.
Lawmakers to unveil rival budgets amid Obama charm bid
Mar 11, 2013 17:44 EDT
President Barack Obama's Democrats will unveil their first budget in four years this week in the US Senate as House Republicans put forward their own blueprint, but the two are unlikely to be reconciled.
Two US troops killed in Afghan 'insider' attack
Mar 11, 2013 16:14 EDT
Two US soldiers were killed and 10 wounded in a suspected insider attack in Afghanistan on Monday, after President Hamid Karzai accused Washington of colluding with the Taliban to justify its presence in the country.
US Democrats to unveil first budget in four years
Mar 11, 2013 14:29 EDT
President Barack Obama's Democrats will unveil their first budget in four years this week in the US Senate, while House Republicans will put forward their own blueprint. But the two are unlikely to be reconciled.
Afghan leader alleges US-Taliban collusion
Mar 11, 2013 06:48 EDT
President Hamid Karzai has accused the United States of colluding with the Taliban to justify its presence in Afghanistan, dumbfounding US officials during a problematic visit by the new Pentagon chief.
Afghan leader alleges US-Taliban collusion
Mar 10, 2013 22:46 EDT
President Hamid Karzai has accused the United States of colluding with the Taliban to justify its presence in Afghanistan, dumbfounding US officials during a problematic visit by the new Pentagon chief.
Senate stalwart Carl Levin will not seek re-election
Mar 07, 2013 22:28 EST
US Senator Carl Levin, a six-term Democrat and staunch advocate for military personnel and readiness, announced Thursday he will not seek re-election in 2014.
John Brennan confirmed as CIA director
Mar 07, 2013 21:28 EST
The US Senate confirmed John Brennan as CIA director Thursday after the White House doused a fierce debate over the potential use of domestic drones, which could have delayed filling the crucial post.
Gun background-check bill stumbles, senators press on
Mar 07, 2013 19:20 EST
A US Senate panel approved legislation Thursday that makes gun trafficking a federal crime, but bills banning assault weapons and expanding background checks to nearly all gun buyers face a tougher battle.
Facts from the Wikipedia page:
| United States Senate | |
|---|---|
| 111th United States Congress | |
 | |
| Type | |
| Type | Upper house |
| Leadership | |
| President of the Senate | Joe Biden, (D) since January 20, 2009 |
| President pro tempore | Robert Byrd, (D) since January 4, 2007 |
| Majority Leader | Harry Reid, (D) since January 4, 2007 |
| Minority Leader | Mitch McConnell, (R) since January 4, 2007 |
| Structure | |
| Members | 100 |
| Political groups | Democratic Caucus (60 members) Republican Conference (40 members) |
 | |
| Election | |
| Last election | November 4, 2008 |
| Meeting place | |
 | |
| Senate Chamber United States Capitol Washington, D.C. United States | |
| Website | |
| http://www.senate.gov | |
